Alpamayo Trek

Trip Overview

With at least 269 lakes, 663 glaciers, 41 rivers and 33 summits rising over 6000 m, the 180 kilometre-long Cordillera Blanca is arguably the world's most magnificent mountain range.

Alpamayo (Base Camp) Trek is our favourite hike here, a challenging high altitude tramp. Alpamayo — often listed as one of the world’s most beautiful peaks — is only one highlight of many.

Itinerary

Day 1. Lima

Arrival in Lima. Reception and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2. Lima - Huaraz

After breakfast, transfer to the bus terminal for the 13:00 first class bus to Huaraz. Eight hour journey heading first north along the Panamerican highway before turning east and heading towards the Andes. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Day 3. Huaraz (Breakfast)

Free day for acclimatisation in Huaraz.

Day 4. Huaraz – (Chavin) (Breakfast)

Private trip to Chavin de Huantar, site of the oldest pan-andean civilisation dating back to 2000BC. Located on the outskirts of the village of the same name. Tour of the ruins. The site has many galleries and subterranean tunnels and houses many carved stone figures of anthropomorphic semblances reminiscent of the Maya culture. It is the oldest known pre-Columbian culture discovered and is known as Chavin-Kotosh. The most remarkable piece of carving is ”El Lanzon”, a granite carving 4.5 metres in height. Its head is built into the roof of the gallery and its base is in the floor, making it immovable. An anthropomorphic figure with feline teeth, it is thought to indicate an important ceremonial, religious artefact. Return to Huaraz where the journey takes you over the continental divide at the high Kawish pass.

Day 5. Huaraz – (Churup-Pastoruri) (Breakfast)

Trip to either Lake Churup or Pastoruri glacier. Churup is quite a tough 1 day trek which allows you to ascend to 4600m Pastoruri is easier to access due to the usage of a 4X4 vehicle and allows for some time at the wonderful glacier. Return to Huaraz and briefing on the up and coming Alpamayo trek.

Day 6. Huaraz - Hualcayan

Early transfer from Huaraz to Cashapampa where you will start the 50Km tough trek around Alpamayo. The first day's hike will take you past Conay and the Huancarhuas. Reach the first camp at Hualcayan at 3140m.

Day 7. Hualcayan - Huishcash

Today is a steady day with approxiamately 6 hours of hiking onto Huishcash.

Day 8. Huishcash - Osoruri

A tough day starts after breakfast, heading further up until you are rewarded with stunning views of the Cullicocha Lake at 4600m. There is a spectacular backdrop of Santa Cruz 6259m with its impressive ice wall rising above the lake. From here you will cross the Paso dos Cedros at 4850m following with a steep descent to Osoruri. Then a short climb to a second pass at 4,750 m. After lunch on the pass, you will descend to the camp in Ruina Pampa totalling about 7 hours of hiking today.

Day 9. Osoruri - Jancarurish

An easier day today as you will trek along the valley floor to Jancarurish 4300m. This beautiful turquoise glacial lake nestles beneath Alpamayo and the adjacent peaks of Jancarurish 5780, Tayapampa 5860 and Quitaraju 6254m. Camp by the lake shore.

Day 10. Jancarurish - Huillca

Today, the expedition travels to Safuna lagoon, which should be reached after a 4 hour hike. You will then climb up to a rocky pass to 4830m which is known as Cara Cara before descending to a rocky ground and arrive at a grassy valley called Mesa Pampa. There will be a high chance of seeing condors today. Once at the camp, there will be opportunities to explore the surrounding lagoons of Low Safuna and High Safuna.

Day 11. Huillca - Jancapampa

After breakfast you will follow the pass to Salctaycocha at 4600m. You then continue more easily into a rocky valley with a scattering of quenual trees. Follow the valley down to the still waters of Salctaycocha Lagoon and continue along into the broad Jancapampa valley.

Day 12. Jancapampa - Pomabamba

Today is the last day and you will pass several small villages before reaching Pomabamba. From here you will be met and picked up by private bus for the transfer back.

Free afternoon before taking the first class night bus back to Lima.

Day 13. Lima

Arrival in the early morning and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

 
 

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